Ga. officer mistakes Wii controller for gun, shoots teen

Police went to the home to serve teen's father with a probation violation warrant

By Adam Carlson
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

EUHARLEE, Ga. — 17-year-old Christopher Roupe was shot and killed by a Euharlee police officer Friday night. His family's attorney said the officer mistook a video game controller in Roupe's hand — for the Wii — for a gun.

"The eyewitnesses on the scene clearly state that he had a Wii controller in his hand. He heard a knock at the door. He asked who it was, there was no response so he opened the door and upon opening the door he was immediately shot in the chest," Roupe family attorney Cole Law told Atlanta's WSB.

According to WSB, police went to the home to serve Roupe's father with a probation violation warrant.

Neighbors immediately responded, upon hearing the gunshot. One neighbor, Ken Yates, told WSB that the he saw the police officer right after she fired at the teenager. "She came out of this house," Yates said, "She put her head in her hands and she was sobbing."

The officer has been placed on administrative leave.

According to WSB, the officer "told GBI investigators that Roupe pointed a gun at her when he opened the door."

The GBI's autopsy on Roupe's body has been completed and the findings will be given to Cherokee Judicial Circuit District Attorney Rosemary Greene's office.